According to a study, Siachen glacier, world’s highest battlefield, where Indian and Pakistan soldiers are deployed, has been shrinking.

Islamabad, Jan 4/Nationalturk- The Siachen glacier, world’s highest battlefield, where Indian and Pakistan soldiers are deployed, has been shrinking and reduced by 5.9 km in 21 years, a study has revealed.

According to the study, “Climate Data and Modeling Analysis of Indus Ecoregion” by Dr Ghulam Rasul of Pakistan’s Meteorological Department, since the temperature has been increasing at a greater rate, the thinning of ice and retreat  of glacial extent has taken place simultaneously at an alarming rate.

“The decay estimates  calculated by remote sensing techniques show that Siachen glacier has reduced by 5.9km in  longitudinal extent from 1989 to 2009. Thinning of ice mass is evaluated at 17%,” the study reveals.

It said that Siachen Glacier has lost 17% ice mass in 21 years.

“The human   presence   at   Siachen   glacier   has   also   been   affecting   the   neighbouring glaciers such as Gangotri, Miyar, Milan and Janapa which feed Ganges (first two  glaciers), Chenab and Sutlej Rivers respectively,” the study reported.

As per the study, Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindukush together make the largest mountain chain on earth and they are the custodian of the third largest ice reserves after the Polar Regions. “The glaciers in these mountain ranges feed 1.7 billion people through seven large Asian river systems, including the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Mekong and Yangtze.”

Sharp decline in mass of glaciers since 1990s

“A sharp decline in the mass of all glaciers has been witnessed since the 1990s. Accelerated melting process of seasonal snow and that of glacier ice from mountain glaciers have been adding to greater volume of water into the sea than normal discharges,” further says the study.

The Siachen glacier is world’s highest battleground, where India and Pakistan have fought intermittently since 1984. Both countries have deployed soldiers on the glacier at an altitude of 22,000 ft.  In 1984, India occupied parts of the Siachen and deployed its soldiers there. Pakistan followed the suit and also deployed its soldiers there. The two countries continue to man their posts in Siachen throughout the year. Prior to 1984, neither India nor Pakistan had any permanent presence in the area.

 

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News

 

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